Hot-shot Clarke bids for club milestone

Phil Tooley
Chesterfield

Striker Leon Clarke will be hoping to become the first Spireite since 1932 to score in his first four club appearances.

The former Owl scored on his debut at Bournemouth and followed that up with the home winner against Bury and a hat-trick in the 4-1 weekend win over Carlisle United.

Colin Cook was the last man to achieve that feat, indeed he scored in his first six games for Chesterfield, an all time club record.

Clarke looks set to lead the line in what could be John Sheridan’s first unchanged team in exactly a year, meaning defender Simon Ford will, for the first time, face the team he left as a youngster 10 years ago to follow Lennie Lawrence to Grimsby Town.

Charlton, who are selling tickets at £5 each and as a result are expecting a near sell-out, have had a very settled side this term.

The unbeaten table-toppers’ 10 regular outfield players have missed just one start between them in League Two to date. Leading scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips is the only non-keeper to have been absent so far, and then just for one game, indicating a very settled side, no doubt a major reason why Chris Powell’s side sit where they are.

It’s Spireites first visit to The Valley in 30 years and they seek their first win there in 78 years, but having won their last three games, confidence will be high.

First year pro Jordan Burrow (19) has joined Conference North side Boston United, managed by Chesterfield’s record signing Jason Lee, on a month’s loan. He goes into their squad for their game with Droylsden.